Abiquiu, New Mexico

While visiting Santa Fe, Roger and I took a day trip to Abiquiu in northern New Mexico. The drive up and the countryside in this area are just beautiful.

Our first stop in Abiquiu was the Abiquiu Inn and the Georgia O'Keeffe Welcome Center. All on the same property.

The Flower of the West: Georgia O'Keeffe

American Painter 1887- 1986

"Fill a space in a beautiful way" ~ Georgia O'Keeffe

Georgia O'Keeffe (1887-1986) was one of the foundational figures of American modernism and a pioneering woman in the arts. She is widely celebrated and recognized for her flower paintings and Southwest landscapes.

Visit the link below to learn more about Georgia O'Keeffe and her vision and persistence. Georgia O'Keeffe - Paintings, Quotes & Facts (biography.com)

photo by news.artnet.com

Bodes General Store

Bodes General Store opened in 1890 under a different name, Grants Mercantile. Grants Mercantile was located on the eastern end of the Old Spanish Trail. This historic trading route connected New Mexico to Utah and Los Angeles.

When the Grant Brothers opened their mercantile, it served various purposes. In addition to being a store, it also functioned as a post office, a stagecoach stop, and a jail. The photos below show the then and now of Bodes General Store.

Abiquiu Lake

Abiquiu Lake is located 61 miles north of Santa Fe on Highway 84. The 5,200-acre reservoir is over 12 miles long and sits at an elevation between 6,100 and 6,220 feet. The area includes beautiful panoramic views, is surrounded by red sandstone formations, and is adjacent to Pedernal Mountain.

Pinterest photo of Pedernal Mountain and area

Below are photos I took of Abiquiu Lake.

Pueblo de Abiquiu

Our final stop before returning to our hotel was Pueblo de Abiquiu. It was such a beautiful sight to see. The actual village is a quiet community tucked away just off the highway in the western cliffs of the valley. While at Pueblo Abiquiu, we saw the Penitente Morada, a sacred building. Unauthorized people, understandably, cannot go inside the gated area. I was able to take a couple of pictures from the roadside.

The Penitente Morada was a meeting site for the Penitente Brotherhood. Its members (Catholics of Spanish descent) dedicated themselves to community service and memorializing the spirit of the penance and the Passion of Christ. The Penitente Morada, originally built in the 1700s and recently restored, is located up a winding dirt road within the village of Abiquiu.

Other sites we saw while in the village were the Saint Thomas Apostle Church and a photograph of the past (1920s). We also respectfully visited the Old Catholic Cemetery.

A Personal Note

This was an extraordinary trip for me. I've had it on my bucket list for quite some time. I'm so thankful that this trip to Abiquiu became a reality and for Roger, who made it come true and shared this special day with me.

My dear friend, Christina, has family in this area and took frequent trips to visit and to help her parents. I always enjoyed her stories, and she would bring trinkets back for me from Bodes General Store. We planned a road trip to Abiquiu together; unfortunately, our road trip didn't happen. Christina became ill and unexpectedly passed away. Her death was heartbreaking.

The post below showed up on my Facebook Memories last month. It made my heart smile because I knew I was on my way. "I made it, Christina!" ❤️

In Memory of Christina

I remember her smiling face, enthusiasm, and joy. From the day I met her, I noticed that she was kind to everyone she met. My friend, I long to see you again, and one day I will wrap my arms around you and hug you when I join you in heaven.